Girlfriend’s Model Search is a bit of an Aussie icon, if we do say so ourselves!
Over the last 30 years, we’ve unearthed some of the most talented models and personalities who are now doing incredible things.
And when we say ‘incredible,’ we don’t just mean appearing in a choccy milk ad every five years or spruiking teeth whitening products on Instagram (not that there’s anything wrong with either of those!)
We’re talking about walking in international fashion shows, snagging Vogue covers, working with huge brands, fighting for important causes and even appearing in Blockbuster Hollywood films!
Some of our past winners and finalists are so prolific, you might have even forgotten that they started right here in Girlfriend (or, you might be too young to remember!)
So, to jog your memory, let’s take a walk down to memory lane and look at what some of our past contestants are up to now.
Ruby Rose
You might not recognise Ruby without her black mask and signature red lip, but she currently plays the titular character in the CW series, Batwoman! Yep, that’s right, a past Model Search finalist is now a superhero! You might also recognise her as Aussie inmate Sheila in TV series Orange Is The New Black or country singer Calamity in Pitch Perfect 3. The ever-versatile Ruby has done pretty much everything since being a finalist in 2003 at age 16 (pssttt…she was beat out by Catherine McNeil, who she was later engaged to!) She’s been an MTV VJ, singer, model and mental health activist. TBH, The better question would be, what doesn’t Ruby do!?
Abby Lee Kershaw
Abby Lee won Model Search back in 2004 and ever since, her ethereal face has been everywhere! She’s walked at pretty much every fashion week, and has worked on campaigns with brands Tom Ford, Saint Laurent, Gucci, Calvin Klein and Chanel. She’s even walked the Victoria’s Secret runway a couple of times. In 2011, she was officially dubbed a ‘supermodel’ when she appeared in V Magazine’s Discovery issue. Like Ruby, she’s also dabbled in acting over the last few years, appearing in Mad Max 2: Fury Road, The Dark Tower, as well as Neon Demon alongside Elle Fanning. Slay!
Catherine McNeil
As mentioned, Catherine and her killer cheekbones won our 2004 Model Search when she was just 14. Since then, her modelling career has gone from strength to strength. She’s appeared in campaigns for Versace, Donna Karan, Hugo Boss, Louis Vuitton and Jean Paul Gaultier and appeared on the covers of Australian Vogue, French Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar. Vogue Paris even declared Cat as one of the top 30 models of the 2000s! It’s hard to beat that.
Fun fact: Big Brother alumni and influencer Tully Smyth (far left) was also a finalist in Catherine and Ruby’s year, too!
Chantal Monaghan
Chantal was a finalist at age 14 in our 2010 Model Search and since then, her modelling career has soared! Fast forward 10 years and she’s one of New York’s most demand models—straddling that rare line between high fashion and commercial beauty. She’s walked on catwalks all over the world, and worked with iconic brands like Ralph Lauren and Jean Paul Gaultier. Fun fact: she also appeared on the modelling reality TV show The Face and was on team Naomi Campbell—and we can totally see her following in her footsteps.
Alyssa Sutherland
Alyssa Sutherland was one of our OG model search winners, snagging the title back in 1997. Since then, she’s carved out a super successful modeling career both here and abroad. She’s appeared on pretty much every fashion magazine cover you could think of, and has appeared in campaigns for brand like Bvlgari, Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein and Hugo Boss. But like Abby and Ruby, she’s moved more into acting in the last few years, and you might better recognise her as Princess Aslaug in the historic drama, Vikings.
Samantha Harris
2004 was a BIG year for model search, not only unearthing Abby Lee, but Samantha Harris, too! At age 11, Sam became one of our youngest finalists. Since then, she’s worked in campaigns for huge brands like Bras N Things, Miu Miu and David Jones, she appeared on the cover of Vogue at just 18 — becoming only the second Aboriginal model to so. She’s not just a stunning face either, using her platform to help empower Indigenous Australians and raise money for charities like World Vision and UNICEF. Go Sam!
Natalie Roser
Aged just 16 at the time, Natalie was was named one of our NSW finalists in 2003. Since then, she’s easily become one of Australia’s most successful bikini and commercial models. She’s been the face and body of brands like Guess and TANNED Australia and opened the show at Miami Swim Week in 2015. More recently, she’s turned her talents to the business world, starting her own lingerie label, Rose & Bare.
Fancy yourself Australia’s next big model or influencer? We’re back and looking for the next big superstar in Girlfriend’s 2020 Role Model Search! You can learn more about how to enter here!
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Girlfriend’s Role Model Search 2020
